Brooks Review, Is Brooks Non-Toxic?
Across 22 graded products, Brooks averages Good (51/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Does Brooks have PFAS, by category
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Brooks
Replacement Insoles Cushion Neutral Mens sz 10.5
Foam cushioning, likely ethylene-vinyl acetate or polyurethane
Microplastic shedding or degradation
Foam insoles do shed fine particles with age and compression, especially at seams or…
Lower PFAS concern. Standard foam insoles rarely use PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Insoles For Brooks Running Shoes, Cushion Shoe Inserts For Men &
Foam cushioning, likely polyurethane or EVA
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing
Polyurethane and EVA foams release small amounts of VOCs during manufacture and early…
Microplastic shedding
As foam insoles age and compress, they may shed microparticles, though this is not unique…
Bacterial or fungal growth in degraded foam
Compressed or water-damaged foam can harbor bacteria or fungal growth if not dried…
Standard foam insoles rarely use PFAS compounds.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Glycerin Gts 22 Hoka Insoles Mens 8.5 Extra Wide 4e
Foam cushioning, textile mesh upper, thermoplastic heel counter
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Polyurethane and EVA foams degrade over time and with heat or UV exposure, potentially…
Moisture retention and mold growth
Foam insoles retain sweat and moisture, creating risk for mold or bacterial growth if not…
Typical foam insole without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Cushion Support Shoe Insole Replacement 11.5-12
foam insole, likely EVA or polyurethane foam
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Closed-cell foam insoles may incorporate small amounts of formaldehyde-based binders or…
Microplastics
Polyurethane and EVA foam insoles shed microscopic particles with normal wear and…
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New foam insoles may emit low levels of VOCs during initial use as residual solvents from…
Standard foam insoles rarely use PFAS compounds.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Women's PR Elite Bra
Nylon, spandex blend with mesh
Heavy metals
Nylon accepts acid dyes in standard textile mills; most suppliers comply with REACH…
Spandex/polyurethane degradation and microfiber shedding
Nylon-spandex blends shed microfibers, particularly during wash cycles. Spandex degrades…
Low-Medium risk. No PFAS finishes reported.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Women's Limitless Racerback Sports Bra
Nylon, spandex blend fabric
Synthetic fiber shedding and microplastic release
Nylon-spandex blends do shed microscopic fibers during washing and wear, contributing to…
Low-Medium risk. No water-resistant coating.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Brothers Men's Supima Cotton Boxer Briefs
Supima cotton, no surface treatment disclosed
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cotton yarn may receive formaldehyde-based resin finish to improve wrinkle resistance or…
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
If dyed (solid colors), cotton may use azo dyes, which are regulated but not banned in…
Elastane degradation and microfiber shedding
Waistband and leg openings contain elastane (spandex) blended with cotton. Elastane…
Heavy metals
Some industrial textile dyes and pigments historically contained lead, cadmium, or…
Low-Medium risk. No forever chemicals expected.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Brothers Men's 3-Pack Cotton Boxers
100% cotton
Azo dyes and residual dye chemicals
Cotton boxers are piece-dyed or yarn-dyed; restricted azo dyes are banned in EU/CA but…
Lead
Improper dye processes or recycled/contaminated pigments can introduce trace cadmium or…
Skin irritation from residual processing chemicals
Unfixed dyes, sizing agents, and alkali from mercerizing can cause contact dermatitis in…
Low-Medium risk. No surface treatments.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Women's Chaser Padded Running Bra
nylon, polyester, elastane blend
Elastane (spandex) degradation and microfiber release
Elastane fibers degrade under heat, UV, and mechanical stress, potentially shedding…
Antimony in polyester
Polyester fabric may contain antimony as a catalyst residue from manufacturing. Levels in…
Fragrance and dye allergens (contact dermatitis)
Some users report skin irritation from athletic bras, though the Chaser has no specific…
Low-Medium risk. No water-repellent coating or special coatings.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Men's Brooks Dash Singlet Printed
polyester mesh singlet
Azo dyes and color fastness
The printed graphic uses dyes and pigment binders whose formulation Brooks does not…
Heavy metals
Printing inks can contain trace heavy metals (lead, cadmium) depending on pigment…
Lower concern. Uncoated polyester mesh unlikely to need PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Women's Dash Lite Bra
Nylon, spandex blend
Azo dyes
Nylon can be dyed with either azo or non-azo dyes; Brooks has not disclosed dye chemistry…
Microplastics
Nylon and spandex garments shed microfibers during washing and wear, a well-documented…
Contact dermatitis or sensitization from dyes or residual finishes
Individuals with sensitive skin may experience irritation from dye residues or finishing…
Lower concern. Basic athletic bra without water-repellent treatment.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Men's Graphic Short Sleeve Running Top
polyester blend athletic shirt, no stated coating
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester athletic apparel sometimes receives formaldehyde-based finishing to control…
Heavy metals
Graphic printing on polyester typically uses azo-based colorants or disperse dyes that…
Antimony in polyester polymer (catalyst residue)
Polyester is synthesized using antimony trioxide as a catalyst in most mainstream…
Microfiber shedding during laundering
Polyester athletic wear sheds microfibers during washing, contributing to aquatic…
Lower concern. No water-repellent coating treatment typical for graphic tees.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Men's Atmosphere Short Sleeve
Polyester athletic knit, no specified water-repellent coating treatment
Azo dyes and colorant toxicity
Black or dark polyester knits typically use azo dyes, which are regulated but not banned…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester knits may receive formaldehyde-containing finishes for wrinkle resistance or…
Heavy metals
Synthetic dyes may contain trace heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium); regulatory…
Microplastic shedding during use and wash
Polyester athletic wear sheds microfibers in the washing machine and during wear; while…
Lower concern athletic tee.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Cushion Support Replacement Insoles Navy Blue Tr-3 Tr-4 10ar Mens 10
Foam cushioning, textile cover
Formaldehyde / VOCs
The textile cover may be treated with formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or…
Azo dyes in textile cover
The blue color of these insoles likely uses synthetic dyes; azo dyes can include aromatic…
Microplastics
Over extended use, the foam cushioning breaks down physically, potentially shedding small…
Allergic sensitization to dyes or adhesives
Individuals with sensitive skin or contact dermatitis history may react to dyes, glues…
Typical foam insole materials rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Adrenaline GTS 10
Mesh textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Foam midsole off-gassing or degradation products
EVA and polyurethane foams can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during…
Bacterial or fungal colonization in worn shoe
Mesh uppers and foam midsoles trap moisture and sweat; if not dried thoroughly between…
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Men's Adrenaline GTS 25
mesh textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Water-repellent treatment on mesh and outsole almost certainly contains perfluorinated…
Polyurethane midsole off-gassing
Polyurethane foams can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including isocyanates…
Running shoe with likely water-repellent coating, lacks transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
(insoles Only) For Men's Adrenaline Gts 24 Running Size12
foam cushioning with moisture-wicking fabric, likely water-repellent coating-treated textile layer
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemicals
Brooks does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry; may include PFAS or PFAS-free…
Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
New polyurethane foam may emit trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the first few…
Undisclosed water-repellent coating-treated insoles carry typical waterproof coating risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
Women's Glycerin 23
Knit textile upper with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Knit upper has water-repellent treatment; Brooks does not disclose chemical composition.…
Antimony in polyester fibers
Polyester content in the knit upper may contain trace antimony as a polymerization…
Adhesive and sole-upper interface degradation
Brooks running shoes, including the Glycerin line, have occasional reports of…
Running shoe with likely water-resistant coating; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
Women's Drive Interlace Run Bra
nylon, elastane, polyester with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Sports bras with water-repellent finishes typically use fluorinated water-repellent…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon in colored athletic wear may be treated with formaldehyde-releasing…
Azo dyes
Synthetic textiles often use azo dyes, some of which can break down into aromatic amines…
Elastane (spandex) degradation and microfiber shedding
Elastane fibers break down with repeated washing, heat exposure, and physical wear…
High risk. Likely has water-repellent coating, Brooks silent.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
Men's Cascadia 20 GTX
Gore-Tex waterproof membrane with textile upper
Teflon-family coating (Teflon-type coating/Gore-Tex) membrane degradation
Gore-Tex membranes are durable but degrade with repeated washing, abrasion, and UV…
Azo dyes in textile upper and lining
Polyester and nylon uppers are dyed with azo dyes; EU and most major brands have phased…
Antimony in polyester fabric
Polyester fibers can contain antimony (Sb) as a catalyst residue at trace levels…
Adhesive and glue off-gassing
Shoe construction uses polyurethane or polyurethane-based adhesives to bond the Gore-Tex…
GTX waterproofing likely uses PFAS; Brooks silent on PFAS risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
Women's Adrenaline GTS 24 Weatherized
Mesh, synthetic textile upper with water-repellent coating-treated weatherized coating
PFAS
Weatherized running shoes routinely contain legacy or contemporary PFAS compounds in the…
Microfiber shedding during wear and wash
All synthetic mesh shoes shed microfibers; the weatherized coating may accelerate this in…
Weatherized running shoe; PFAS risk unclear, Brooks lacks disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
Staple x Brooks Cascadia 1 men
Mesh/textile upper with synthetic waterproof treatment, rubber sole
Azo dyes and synthetic textile finishing
Mesh upper and synthetic components typically undergo dyeing and chemical finishing…
PFAS
Water-resistant treatments on athletic footwear are frequently fluorochemical-based…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Shoe construction typically uses adhesives and synthetic lining materials that may…
Microfiber shedding from synthetic upper
Synthetic mesh and polyester textiles can shed microplastic fibers during wear and…
Running shoe with water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks and PFAS, common questions
- Does Brooks have PFAS?
- We graded 22 Brooks products, averaging Good (51/100). None grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Brooks non-toxic?
- No Brooks product we graded reaches Good. The best of them is Brooks Replacement Insoles Cushion Neutral Mens sz 10.5 at 65/100.
- Which Brooks products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded Brooks products we have scored are Staple x Brooks Cascadia 1 men, Brooks Women's Adrenaline GTS 24 Weatherized, Brooks Men's Cascadia 20 GTX. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →